116-year old building in Kobe to be razed by developer
One of Kobe’s earliest western-style buildings has been sold to a developer and will be demolished to make way for a high-rise apartment building. The property, which was sold along with an adjoining block of land, had a price tag of several billion Yen.
Yoshimura Junzo house in Nishiazabu demolished
A house designed by modernist architect Yoshimura Junzo (1907-1997) in central Tokyo’s Nishiazabu neighbourhood has been demolished.
The ‘Tagakicho House’ was built in 1968 and was a 2-storey reinforced concrete house with a basement. The total size of the house was 624 sqm (6,714 sq.ft). It was constructed by Takenaka Corporation - one of Japan’s biggest construction companies.Read more
Historic residence in Ichigaya to be partially demolished
A 88-year old traditional Japanese residence in the Ichigaya neighbourhood in Shinjuku will be partially demolished. The house was built in 1928 as a residence for a wealthy shipping industry magnate from Toyama Prefecture. It was designed by architect Tetsuro Yoshida, an architect for the Ministry of Communications.
The 2-storey, 582 sqm house sits on a 3,837 sqm landscaped block of land. It includes a blend of both traditional Japanese and western styles, and is one of the few remaining large pre-war homes in Tokyo.Read more
Shrine to demolish 53-yr old building by iconic architect
A 53-year old former Shrine Office building in Shimane Prefecture is at risk of demolition. The owner, Izumo-taisha (aka the Izumo Grand Shrine), is considering tearing down the building due to its deteriorating state.
Architects and local groups are petitioning the shrine to consider the cultural importance of the building and preserve it for future generations. The shrine office was designed by architect Kiyonori Kikutake (1928-2011) and completed in 1963. Kikutake, along with Kisho Kurokawa, was one of the founders of the metabolist movement and designed numerous buildings across Japan.Read more
One of Tokyo's oldest Ryokans to be demolished this year
One of Tokyo’s older ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) is set to close at the end of March, ending 112 years of operations. Choyokan-honke is located in Hongo, Bunkyo-ku - an area that was once bustling with ryokans and old bathhouses. During the 1920s there were over 120 ryokans in the neighbourhood, but by the 1960s the number had dropped to around 50.
The building is schedule to be demolished in the summertime. It will then be replaced with a high-rise condominium.Read more
Construction Co. to demolish 90-year old western-style house in Nagano
The historic Shinshu-Kaikan building in Nagano City will be demolished to make way for a 15-storey apartment building.
It was built as the residence of Kyushichi Kobayashi, the first president of the Nagano Jitsugyo Bank (which later merged to become the Shinano Bank). The actual year of construction is unknown, although it is estimated to be approximately 90 years old. The two-storey house included a fireplace, which was unusual for residences, as well as a slate roof.Read more
Temple to demolish 100+ yr old historic villa in Kyoto
The former holiday villa of the head priest of the Nishi Hongan-ji Temple is going to be demolished this month.
Sanya-so, located in Kyoto’s Fushimi Ward, is a 10,000 sqm estate dating back the the late 1800s. In 1876, 21st head priest / Abbot Koson Otani (1850 - 1903) built a single-storey wooden house to be used to host guests. It had seven rooms and a tea house, and was situated on an elevated block of land overlooking Uji River.
In 1900 a new wing was built with four rooms. The new house was also single storey and had a total floor area of 360 sqm. It also featured floor heating, with steam piped through pipes that were installed under the floors.
The villa hosted several notable guests throughout the years, including Tokugawa Yoshinobu (the last shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate), Prince Ito Hirobumi (samurai and four time Prime Minister), and Field Marshal Prince Yamagata Aritomo (two time Prime Minister).Read more